A lake-effect snowstorm impacting parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin has led to at least seven deaths in New York State alone as of Nov. 21, with some outlets reporting up to 10 fatalities. One person died in a car accident, another trapped in a car and five more shoveling snow.
About 140 vehicles were stranded or left abandoned along roads and highways.

Staying Safe on the Roads

While such severe snow can make driving impossible, Auto Express also told drivers Nov. 21 that about half of winter breakdowns are preventable.

A survey released by the organization shows that 30% of drivers neglect to do anything at all in order to prepare their cars for winter driving.

Auto Club AAA also released a reminder last week that it’s important to make sure cars are in good condition to handle decreased traction on snow and ice.

The generally quoted minimum tread depth for tires, 2/32 of an inch, may not be sufficient for snow. Instead, motorists should replace tires that have treads less than 6/32 of an inch deep. Brake pads should be replaced before they reach 1/8 of an inch.
“AAA hopes this threat of winter weather serves as a reminder for motorists to have their vehicles serviced for winter driving now,” said John B. Townsend II, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Preventative maintenance now can keep you safe on the roadways this winter.”

It’s also important to know when to stay off the roads altogether, both to prevent accidents and to streamline cleanup efforts after a major storm. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is currently asking that drivers stay away from clogged roads where workers are attempting to dig out stranded vehicles.

Emergency Not Over

Although snowfall is subsiding, authorities in Western New York are warning residents that rainfall over the weekend could cause both flooding and roof collapses.
“There will be a rain starting on Saturday that will not initially create a situation where the snow will melt, but it will actually act as a sponge,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz explained to CNN.